Rotary fountain paintbrush



June 1954 A. T. COLEMAN ROTARY FOUNTAIN PAINTBRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May '7, 1949 INVENTOR. [barf 7. Ca/emew June 29, 1954 A. T. COLEMAN ROTARY FOUNTAIN PAINTBRUSH Filed May 7, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 |llll|| 4 1 l lg gl 2 9' Q INVENTOR.

A/berZ TCo/c man Patented June 29, 1954 UNITED STATliS ATENT OFFICE EQTARY FOUNTAIN PAINTBRUSH Albert '1. Coleman, Tuokahoe, N. Y.

Application May 7, 1949, Serial No. 91,945

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for painting, and has special reference to a device that is particularly adapted for use in house painting.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character whereby a surface may be quickly and easily coated with a smooth and uniform coat of paint, with materially reduced paint losses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for coating surfaces with paint, whereby a given area can be painted without overlapping onto contiguous areas that may be of a different color.

Another object of the invention is a new and improved means for applying paint to surfaces to be painted and wherein a continuous supply of paint is available at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved means for delivering paint to an applicator, wherein the supply of paint may be remotely controlled at the will of the operator.

Another object of the invention is a new and improved painting device.

The above and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a paint supply means according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a paint applicator in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodi ment shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a perspective View of the invention showing the paint supply means and the paint applicator; and

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig.

The device, according to the invention, includes a new and improved brush for applying paint to surfaces, which briefly includes a rotating inner brush to which paint is continuously supplied. This brush is surrounded by a stationary outer brush, the bristles of which preferably extend slightly beyond the bristles of the inner brush.

in using this device, which will be more completely described hereinafter, the operator is able to work the paint well into the surface by means of the inner rotating brush, and at the same time is able to smooth the applied paint by moving the brush assembly slowly over the surface being painted. In this operation, the outer brush smooths the paint deposited on the surface by 2 the inner rotating brush, and at the same time prevents spattering of paint from the inner brush caused by the rotation thereof. Moreover, this spattering tends to provide a small supply of paint for the outer brush which greatly facilitates its smoothing operation.

The painting device in accordance with the invention also includes means whereby the rate of supply of the paint may be at all times under the control of the operator.

This apparatus is particularly useful for house painting, and specially indoor painting, since the paint may be applied quickly and effectively without any spattering or atomization of the paint. This avoids the necessity of special painting masks for the painter and enables the paint to be quickly and rapidly applied to particular surfaces without the danger of having paint spatter or otherwise settle on surfaces that may be of a different color, or which are to be finished in a different manner. For the purpose of this description, suitable means for supplying paint to the applicator will first be described.

The paint supply means which is illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a number of receptacles Mia and lb adapted to hold the paint to be supplied to an applicator such as the new and improved brush-type of applicator I have illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. I have illustrated two containers for paint although it will become apparent that any number of such containers suitably connected could be employed. These containers are connected at the bottom by means of pipes l2 and valves l3 to a common horizontally disposed conduit or tube l4, so that when one or the other of the valves is open, paint will flow by gravity from the container through the valve and into the conduit M. The conduit M is curved upwardly at its inner end M, and terminates in a funnel-shaped container it, the upper opening ll of which is closed by a suitable electric motor I9. This motor I9 is coupled with and arranged to drive a flexible cable 2%] which passes through the conduit I l. Although the conduit it and the flexible cable 2%] are broken off at the left-hand side of Fig. 1, this conduit and cable, as will be subsequently described, extend for some distance beyond the paint supply device and are connected to drive and supply paint to the paint applicator. The flexible cable in is preferably provided with a suitable flexible metallic shield thoroughly coated on the inside with a graphite grease or other suitable lubricating material, for lubricating the flexible shaft through the center of the shield. The shield should preferably occupy no more than one-half the area of the tube or conduit it in which it is disposed.

An air compressor 22 and drive motor 24 provides a high pressure stream of air through the conduits 26, 28 and 30 to the conduit I4 at a point between the intersection of the paint-feed pipe I2?) and the conduit I4 and the funnel-shaped device Iii for holding the motor I9. The air is fed into the pipe by means of a suitable Y connection 32, so that the air will be forced in the direction of the arrow a indicated in the drawing. This supply of air through the conduits 28 and 30 is controlled by a valve 34 to control the pressure of the air in the conduit I4. The second air-supply is provided through conduits 2B, 36 and 38 to a Y connection 40 in the conduit I4. This air-supply circuit is controlled by a valve 42.

In the operation of this apparatus, should the valve I3a be opened to permit paint to flow from the container Itla into the conduit I4, the valve 52 would also be opened to supply air into the conduit through the Y connection 40. The entrance of compressed air at this point will carry with it the paint flowing into the conduit I4 by gravity to the point of application of the paint by any suitable device. Should paint be desired from paint container IOb, the valve I3b would be opened along with the air valve 34 which would admit air to the conduit I4 and through the Y connection 32. The flow of paint from the containers Ifia and lIlb can be controlled by proper adjustment of their respective valves I3a and I321, while the air pressure can also be controlled by properly setting the air valves 34 and 42. In order to prevent paint from backing up through the conduit Id into the motor supporting means IS, a suitable packing is provided within the collar 46 to effectively seal the motor supporting means I6 from the opening within the conduit I4.

The motors I9 and 24 may be supplied by any suitable source of electrical energy connected to the terminals 46 and 48. Terminal 48 is connected to the motors I9 and 24 by the conductors 49 and 53, respectively, while the terminal 46 is connected to the motor I9 by means of conductor 52 which is connected preferably at the applicator by means of a switch to the lead 53. This lead in turn is connected through a suitable rheostat and lead 55 to the motor I9. In this way the operator, by opening and closing a suitable switch that may be mounted on the paint applicator, can control the operation of the driving motor I9, the speed of the motor being adjustable by means of the rheostat 54. The motor 2G for driving the air compressor is controlled in a similar manner through a lead 56 connected to the terminal 46 on one end and to a rheostat 51 at the other end. The rheostat is then connected through the lead 58 to a switch also preferably disposed in the position of the applicator, and the other side of the switch is returned through the lead 59 to the motor 24. The operator may therefore also control the operation of the motor 24, and the speed of the motor may be controlled by the rheostat 51.

With a device of the character described above, it is apparent that a constant supply of paint may be maintained at all times by alternating between the containers la and Illb, and while the operator is using one container of paint, the other one can be filled. Moreover, as the containers merely supply the paint by gravity to the paint supply conduit I4, they may therefore even be opened up and filled even while paint is being supplied from that container.

A paint supply device of the character illustrated in Fig. 1 is shown in Figs. 4 and 5; and similar numerals have been used to denote similar components in these figures as well as in Fig. 1.

The apparatus is preferably enclosed within a suitable housing 60 which, in the present embodiment, is of arcuate shape and is provided with rollers 62 to facilitate transportation of the unit. The containers "Ia and I0!) are preferably disposed wholly within the housing with openings in the top surface 6i of the housing, and are provided with suitable screw-type covers 36a and 66b to close the containers and prevent the admission of dirt or other foreign particles when the containers are not actually being cleaned or recharged with paint. The drive motor I9 is also mounted on the upper surface 64 of the housing 60 and is removably secured to the motor supporting means I6 by a threaded connector or cap' 68 to which the motor is secured by means of the flange ID. A splined or other similar coupling I2 is disposed between the motor shaft and the flexible cable 20, so that the motor may be readily unscrewed and removed for the purpose of cleaning the housing I6 when necessary.

As indicated in Fig. l, the bottom of the motor support means or housing I6 is connected with the part I4 of the conduit I4. The rotary shaft of the motor 24 and blower 22 which together comprise an air compressor unit, can be oiled by means of suitable tubes connected to openings 94 in the top face of the housing 60, shown in Fig. 4, so that merely by removing suitable caps placed over these three outlets, the motorcompressor assembly can be oiled without removing a transparent cover plate 96 disposed on one side of the housing 60.

The new and improved paint applicator according to this invention is illustrated in Figs. 2 and S, and consists of a stationary outer brush I66 having a base portion I02 and outwardly extending bristles I04. Within the outer brush I0! is a rotatable, circular brush I06 supported by a base member I68 and having a pair of tubes H0 extending therethrough and partway into the brush I68 through which paint is discharged to the brush I06. With this arrangement paint is fed constantly at a predetermined rate through the tubes I50 and into the brush I06 during the painting operation. The rotation of the brush I 05 eifectively deposits a coat of paint on the surface to be painted, even though it may be somewhat rough or uneven, and the coat of paint thus deposited may be further smoothed out by means of the outer brush I 00. Moreover, the outer brush I00 prevents the spattering of the paint due to the rotation of the inner brush I06, and therefore effects a material saving in the quantity of paint required over other types of mechanical applicators. The outer brush I00 is provided with a handle part consisting of a pipe H2 and a pair of bell shaped housings H4 and H6 having threaded central portions H4 and H6 engaged by the threaded end part of the pipe or conduit H2. The outer brush base I02 is also supported by the pipe or conduit H2 by means of a cap-shaped member I I8 and a threadeo. collar I20 and cooperating nut I22 for holding the member H8 in position on the end of the threaded section of pipe H2. The cap-shaped member I I8 is provided with internal peripheral threads I24 adapted to receive a threaded flange part I28 extending backwardly from the brush 5 Hill and found integrally with the brush piece I E32.

A rotatable coupling I28 connects the inner end of the conduit i' G2 with the rotary brush H16 to support the latter and at the same time transfer paint from the conduit H2 into the tubes H within the brush it. The coupler ['28 has a pair of cylindrical internally threaded members E36 and H2 rotatably connected by a U-shaped cylindrical collar member E34 adapted to be re ceived on each end. in suitable recesses provided in the members Kill and [32, so that they may be rotated one relative to the other. A (-shaped pipe fitting 135 is rigidly fastened to the base Hit of the inner brush H35 and threadedly receives one end of the tubes i it. This fitting has a threaded male portion which is connected to the coupling part I32 by means of a reducer 538.

The brush N36 is rotated by means of a flexible cable 28 which numeral in this embodiment denotes the outer flexible casing for an inner rotatable flexible member 2 which is connected to the center portion of the Y-connector I36, as illustrated at lab.

The conduit H2 which extends backwardly from the bell shaped part lid is connected by a suitable connector (not shown) to a flexible hose 836 which communicates with the conduit ht in the paint supply apparatus. The handle together with the connection to the rubber 'hose 86 is preferably covered with a cylindrical rubber shield it?! substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and i. In addition to the flexible rubber hose 85 connecting the paint applicator with a paint supply means, there are a pair of twinconductor electric cables Hi lfor the operation of the motor compressor unit and the motor is which provides the power for rotating the inner brush m6. These cables are in effect extensions of the leads 52, b3 and 59 which have been shown in Fig. l and described in connection therewith. The cables Hit are strapped at intervals to the hose 85, such as in the manner illustrated, for instance, at 5%, and preferably pass through the rubber handle part M2 and hence through a suitable opening M3 in the bell-shaped housing portion El i. These cables are then connected one to each of the switches 56 and H52 disposed within and supported by the housing part H4,

so that by operation of one or the other of these switches the compressor and the motor I9 may be selectively operated. In the particular embodiment, the switch l5? operates the motor compressor unit, while the switch led operates the drive motor it.

The rheostats for controlling the speed of the compressor and the motor l9 are illustrated in Fig. l and denoted by the numerals 54 and 5?, respectively, and the knobs for operating these rheostats from the outside of the housing 60 are shown in Fig. 5 and denoted by the same numerals.

In the operation of this device, and with the paint valves !3a and E3?) in an ofi or closed position, at least one of the paint containers, such as, for instance, container 1 ha, is filled with a suitable paint. The motor compressor assembly is then turned on by closing the switch I52 and the air valve A2 is opened to permit the air to flow through the conduits and 38 into the main supply conduit M. The speed of the motor is then adjusted by means of the rheostat 51 and the adjustment of this rheostat together with the valve 42 will determine the desired quantity of air needed to transport the paint iii 6 through the flexible hose 86 to the brush or applicator I00. allow the paint within the container tea to flow by gravity into the conduit l4, and this valve iSa is also adjusted so that the paint will flow into the conduit at the desired rate. The operator then closes switch I58 to start the motor l9 and cause the internal brush tilt to be rotated by means of the flexible cable 29 passing through the conduit 14 and flexible hose 86 to the central brush member, as previously described. The speed of the motor I9 can be adjusted by means of the rheostat 5d at a speed that is just sufficient to properly work the paint into the surface to be painted, since excessive speed will cause undue wear on the central brush I86. If the supply of paint is too rapid, the operator, by turning off the switch [52, can stop the air compressor at intervals and can then start it again when he needs additional paint. Similarly, if it is desired to smooth a particular surface before going on to the next section of the surface to be painted, the operator may momentarily stop the operation of motor is by actuating the switch i551 Should the paint container its need to be refilled while painting is in progress, it is merely necessary to remove the cover 66a and add additional paint. This can be accomplished with this invention, as the paint is not maintained under pressure in the container I to but merely flows by gravity from the container into the conduit 14.

At intervals it may be desired to remove the motor l9 from its position on the top face cc of the housing 66 for the purpose of cleaning the motor supporting means 1'6 disposed within the housing. To accomplish this the electrical wires to the motor are disconnected and the motor is unscrewed and lifted from its position on the housing. Any excess paint which may have seeped through the packing disposed in the collar M can be washed out with turpentine or other suitable solvent and the motor then replaced for subsequent operations.

I have found that it is desirable under certain conditions to restrict the inner rotating brush I 06 so that the bristles are not thrown out against the bristles of the outer brush Hi0. To restrict the inner brush I have, therefore, employed a canvas sleeve l3! (Fig. 3) which is fastened to the base of the outer brush and encloses about two-thirds of the length of the inner brush. Although I have preferred to employ a canvas sleeve of this character, it is apparent that other means might be employed to restrict the outward movement of the bristles of the inner brush.

In addition to the advantages of my invention heretofore pointed out, I have found that in outdoor painting it is particularly useful in connection with rough surfaces, since the paint is worked into the surface and into cracks resulting from exposure of the surface to the weather. Moreover, because the paint is not atomized, it is much healthier than other methods with which I am familiar, and can be used on very windy days.

By reason of the flexible cable being disposed within the hose, I have found that the device is less likely to clog, and the hose can be more quickly and easily cleaned to permit rapid change of color. Moreover, with this arrangement two colors can be fed into the supply conduit to obtain a blend and thereby avoid premixing operations.

What is claimed is:

l. A painting device of the class described comprising two brushes, one extending longitudinally within the other, the brushes having bristle-sup- The valve Hat is then opened to porting bases, and bristles projecting forwardly from the bases with the bristles of the outer brush surrounding and spaced from the bristles of the inner brush, the free ends of the bristles of the inner brush being spaced back of the plane of the free ends of the bristles of the outer brush, means for supporting the bases with the base of the inner brush mounted for rotary movement so .as to permit the inner brush to be rotated with relation to the outer brush, means for thus rotating the inner brush and for feeding liquid paint to the bristles thereof and means mounted on the supporting means for said bases for controlling said means for rotating the inner brush and for feeding liquid paint to the bristles thereof.

2. A painting device of the class described comprising two brushes, one extending longitudinally within the other, the brushes having bristle-supporting bases and bristles projecting forwardly from the base, the bristles of the outer brush surrounding and spaced from the bristles of the inner brush, means for supporting the bases with the base of the inner brush mounted for rotary movement so as to permit the inner brush to be rotated with relation to the outer brush, means for thus rotating the inner brush and for feeding liquid paint to the bristles thereof, and a flexible shield surrounding and spaced from the rear portion of the bristles of the inner brush and surrounded by the bristles of the outer brush.

3. A painting device comprising a cylindrical inner brush having bristles, an outer brush having bristles surrounding said inner brush and with the free end of the bristles thereof extending beyond the free end of the bristles of the inner brush, a handle for said device having an opening in the center thereof through which paint is supplied, said outer brush being fastened rigidly to said handle, a rotatable joint on the inner end of said handle for rotatably supporting said inner brush and having an opening therein communicating with the opening in said handle, at least one conduit in said inner brush communicating at one end with the opening in said rotatable coupling and terminating at its other end in said inner brush, and flexible shaft means extending through the openings in said handle and flexible coupling and attached to the inner brush for the rotation thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 978,749 Hollis 1 Dec. 13, 1910 1,479,233 Gottlleb Jan. 1, 1924 1,679,323 Mortlock July 31, 1928 2,061,013 Wade Nov. 17, 1936 2,120,003 Schanz June 7, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 592,111 Germany Feb. 1, 1934 601,732 Germany Aug. 23, 1934 

